Two years after lifesaving surgery left her infertile, Molly Hernandez is running full steam toward her goal of becoming a DEA Special Agent. She won’t be distracted by falling in love with an Army veteran who’s focused on settling down and making babies.

Drew Atwater delayed marriage and family until his Army career ended. Now, he has a one-year plan to find the woman of his dreams. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is a spirited cop determined to leave their peaceful town.

While working with troubled teens, Molly and Drew discover they make a powerful team, but their opposing goals threaten to pull them miles apart. Can the power of unselfish love prove their future together will surpass any dream they could accomplish alone?

The kickboxing class started out innocently enough. A few burpees and sit-ups, and then each participant took turns on the bag. One would hold while the other performed kick-punch combos. After thirty minutes, Drew was winded and dripping with sweat. Molly, on the other hand, looked like she was getting warmed up.

“Time to spar,” the teacher called out.

They picked up their gear and moved to an open spot on the mat.

Molly held the padded kick shield in front of her body. “Put up or shut up,” she said with a glint in her eyes.

The corners of her mouth turned up in a wicked smile. The first few he took easy, since he didn’t want to send her flying across the mat.

After a minute, Molly lowered the pad. “Seriously? Don’t hold back. Show me what you’ve got.”

No matter how much he wanted to spare Molly’s body, his male ego rose to the challenge. His next combination should have landed her on her rear, but she held her ground. With every blow, a smile grew on her pretty face. He couldn’t help but stare, so he wasn’t paying attention when she swept her foot underneath him and sent him sprawling onto the mat.

“You’re daydreaming.” Molly cocked her head and stared down.

“You don’t fight fair.” His lungs were caught in a battle between breathing and laughing.

“Of course not.” She reached to take his hand and pulled him back onto his feet. “I grew up with five older brothers. That is the definition of not fair.”

“Wow. Five brothers.”

“Yeah, wow. It’s a miracle I survived.”

“I think you could have survived ten brothers,” he said. “No wonder you decided to go into law enforcement, and why you don’t take crap from anyone.”

Molly tossed him the kick shield and slipped on her gloves. “Some people thought my brothers spoiled me.” Her foot connected with the pad. “Just the opposite. They pushed me to keep up. I hated being left behind.”

A pink boxing glove pounded the pad in his hands. Drew planted his feet and tried to hold firm. “You ever spar for real?”

“I have, but it’s been awhile. You don’t have as much fun when you’re punched in the face at full force. I teach a women’s self-defense class at the community center.” She executed another kick-punch combo.

The action forced him to slide slightly. He hoped she didn’t notice. Of course she did, and a spark of amusement lit her brown eyes. “My my, Molly.” Heat spread across his face and down his body. “Aren’t you full of surprises?”